No Bunnies Allowed

When people travel to distant lands, they can sometimes feel nostalgia for what they have left behind. Early settlers in Australia experienced quite a bit of this yearning. During the mid-1800s, wealthy immigrants from Great Britain realized that they missed the pastimes of their homeland. Their desire to make their new surroundings more familiar led to such efforts as acclimatization societies.

Missing the Bunnies

One activity they missed very much was hunting rabbits. Many immigrants who had imported domesticated rabbits tried to release them into the wild to proliferate. With their original survival instincts diluted through breeding, they failed to survive.

Then, in 1859, Thomas Austin, a wealthy settler in Victoria, imported 24 European wild rabbits from England. He released some of them on his estate so they could be hunted for sport. The rabbits found plenty of food, good ground cover, and few natural predators. Within a few years, their numbers exploded. By 1900, rabbits were recognized as an agricultural pest.

Building a Fence

Angry at the damage caused by the rabbits, the state of Western Australia began construction of what became known as the Rabbit-Proof Fence in order to prevent them from invading its farming areas. The one-meter-tall barrier, built with wooden posts and wire and completed in 1907, was the longest unbroken fence of its time. Contractors placed gates every 32 kilometers (km) in order for residents to pass from one side to the other.

And Another Fence

Unfortunately, the rabbits did not wait for the fence to be finished. By 1902, rabbits had already been found west of the first line. Western Australia then built two more fences. The complete system included:

• Fence One — 1,834 km
• Fence Two — 1,166 km
• Fence Three — 253 km

Unfortunately, these barriers did not succeed in keeping rabbits out. The animals had already crossed into many areas, and any break in the netting allowed them through.

Adaptation of “Rabbit Fence Cobar October 1905” by Walter Leaney. Public domain.

Monitoring

Since its inception, the three-part fence has been monitored to ensure its structural integrity. The first government-appointed manager of the fence was given the title Chief Inspector of Rabbits. In early years, inspectors traveled on horseback, bicycle, or camel, spending nights in rustic huts constructed along the fence line.

The fence still exists today, but its purpose has changed. It is now known as the State Barrier Fence. Rather than serving mainly as a rabbit deterrent, it helps protect farms and grazing lands from other animal pests, especially emus and wild dogs.

Adaptation of “Rabbit-Proof Fence in 2005” by Roguengineer. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Unfortunate Consequences

Although the fence was built to solve one problem, it also created others. Barriers can limit the movement of native animals across the landscape. Emus, kangaroos, snakes, and other species may have less access to food, water, and migration routes. Over time, separating animal populations can also reduce genetic mixing.

At the same time, rabbits themselves have caused enormous environmental damage. They graze heavily on native plants, prevent young trees and shrubs from regenerating, compete with other animals for food and shelter, and contribute to erosion. Even a small number of rabbits can harm fragile ecosystems.

Adaptation of “European Rabbits” by Liz Poon, CSIRO. Licensed under CC BY 3.0.

New Strategies

Fortunately, scientists have worked hard to develop alternative ways of reducing the rabbit problem. Some biological methods helped lower rabbit numbers in the past, but Australia now relies on a broader mix of strategies, called integrated rabbit control, to protect native plants and animals.

For example, land managers may remove places where rabbits breed or hide, build smaller fences around sensitive areas, and restore native vegetation after rabbit numbers have been reduced. These tactics work best when neighboring landholders coordinate their efforts, because rabbits can quickly move back in.

Australia’s rabbit story is not over. Today, the country still has well over 100 million feral rabbits, and their numbers rise and fall with weather, food supply, and control efforts. Still, careful, coordinated work has helped some native plants and animals recover.

So, the next time you’re in Australia, enjoy the rabbits—just don’t hold the gate open for them!

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